The Community Partnership Project provides support for faculty in developing links with St. Louis area resources and organizations. UMSL and Extension faculty may contact Community Partnership Project staff for assistance in the following areas:
- Making connections with community organizations to develop research or teaching partnerships or to arrange student placements or projects. The CPP staff has established connections with nonprofit and community-based organizations and local governments and can help you find a community partner that is the right fit!
- Formation and facilitation of university-community teams to develop new initiatives or to apply for funding opportunities. If you are considering a grant application or working with a community organization on a new initiative and need some assistance in pulling the pieces together, we'd be glad to help.
- Short-term funding to support the development of new initiatives that address key metropolitan issues and link the university and the St. Louis community.
The Community Partnership Project also administers the Urban Extension Grant program, established to facilitate linkages between the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus and University of Missouri Extension and to support program development addressing urban needs. Grant resources are available to faculty in the following areas:
When preparing your grant proposal, please use these forms:
The following projects were funded in 2008-2009:
- A Celebration of African-American Nursing History, coordinated by Wilma Calvert, College of Nursing. Community partner: Homer G. Phillips Nurses Alumni Association.
- Neighborhood History Seminars, coordinated by Kara Lubischer, University of Missouri Extension Community Development faculty. Community partner: Landmarks Association of St. Louis.
- Affton Housing Initiative, coordinated by Kara Lubischer, University of Missouri Extension Community Development faculty. Community partner: Affton Community Betterment Association.
- Midwest School for Women Workers, coordinated by Roz Sherman Voellinger, University of Missouri Extension Labor Education faculty. Community partner: Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), St. Louis Chapter.
- Exploration of a Rivers Institute, coordinated by Jim Wilson, E. Desmond Lee Professor in Experiential and Family Education. Community partner: Confluence Partnership.
- Building the Capacity of Community-Based Organizations to be Agents of Community Change, coordinated by John McClusky, Director, Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program. Community partner: Old North St. Louis Restoration Group.
- Faith-Based Strong Strong Stay Healthy Leader Training, coordinated by Damaris Karanja, University of Missouri Extension Nutrition Faculty. Community partner: Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls.
- Campus Honors Environmental Research Project (CHERP), coordinated by Bob Bliss, Honors College. Community partners: St. Louis County Parks Department.
- Health Disparities within a Historical Context, coordinated by Vanessa Loyd, College of Nursing. Community partner: BJC Healthcare.
- Autism and Law Enforcement Training, coordinated by Cynthia Fauser, University of Missouri Extension Nutrition faculty. Community partner: St. Louis ARC, St. Louis County and Municipal Police Academy.
Students interested in connecting with St. Louis communities as part of their learning experience at UMSL can contact the Community Partnership Project to explore possibilities. The Community Partnership Project maintains relationships with and serves as a liaison for a variety of communities throughout the St. Louis region and can identify a learning experiences suitable for practicum and internship opportunities, as well as graduate assistantships, independent study courses, and volunteer opportunities.
Current Opportunities
Review the list below for our currently available positions. Contact Holly Ingraham, Community Partnership Project to apply for a posted position or inquire about creating a position for yourself.
- Graduate Fellowship in Community Building
The Community Building Fellows graduate fellowship program is intended to support graduate students who are committed to pursuing careers in community development in the nonprofit and/or public sectors. CPP is cosponsoring this program with the UMSL Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program. - Work Study Position — Pagedale Family Support Center/Beyond Housing, Tutoring Program/Center Assistant
Beyond Housing, a leading nonprofit agency in the St. Louis region, operates the Pagedale Family Support Center. This work study position will work with the center director on special projects as well as provide support to their after-school tutoring program. Must be eligible to receive work study funds through the financial aid office. - Work Study Position — Girls Inc. After-School Program/Tutoring Assistant
Girls Inc. provides after-school programming for girls in the St. Louis metropolitan area. This work study position will work with the program director on special projects as well as provide support in further developing the after-school tutoring program. Must be eligible to receive work study funds through the financial aid office. - Internship/Practicum — Citizens for the Advancement of Normandy (CAN)
Citizens for the Advancement of Normandy (CAN) is seeking a student to assist in transitioning CAN into a registered nonprofit organization. Student will work directly with the CAN board of directors and will be involved with all aspects of starting and operating a nonprofit community association including: filing for 501(c)(3) status with the State of Missouri, working with the executive board to develop by-laws, participating in meetings, planning community events, and recruiting volunteers. - Internship/Practicum — International Institute, Tutoring Program Coordinator
The International Institute is seeking a student to coordinate their after school tutoring program for immigrant and refugee K–12 students. Student will work with International Institute staff to organize, train, and oversee volunteer tutors. Great opportunity for College of Education student interested in teacher education or other students with experience in working with English language learners. - Students of Service (SOS) – Service-Learning Courses and Volunteer Opportunities
UMSL was recently awarded a three-year Learn and Serve grant through the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Community Partnership Project, along with the UMSL’s Office of Student Life and Center for Teaching and Learning, will coordinate the implementation of Students of Service (SOS). SOS will create and expand the capacity of and opportunities for students and faculty to engage in service and service-learning opportunities in the communities surrounding the university. Check back for links to service-learning courses, volunteer opportunities, and more!
Do you need tips on running successful meetings? Are you interested in conducting a neighborhood survey but don’t know how? Check out the Community Tool Kit items below. The tool kit is made up of more than 20 tools related to outreach, action planning, collaboration, building consensus, and more.
You can use this tool kit in a number of ways:
- Get an introduction to new techniques
- Get a refresher on techniques you’ve used before
- Look at samples and checklists for ideas
Start organizing your neighborhood today and download the Community Tool Kit.
Community Partnership Project 
